Hell's Belles

February 1, 2014

Gr 6-10-Fourteen-year-old Annie, British transplant to Liberty Heights, Illinois, her dad's hometown, is a tall, dynamic freshman who did gymnastics for 10 years and makes the cheerleading team in her new school. Then she decides to join the junior roller-derby league instead. Other engaging characters include dreamy soccer captain, Tyler, and Jessie, a punk rock DJ and clerk at the rink who is also Annie's personal cheerleader. Annie's teammates prove that derby girls come in all shape and sizes. The novel explores several separations, including Annie's parents', the teen's separation from her home country, and the difficulty of parenting from a distance. Being a roller-derby girl gives Annie confidence, though, and readers will emapathize with her.-Glynis Jean Wray, Ocean County Library, Toms River, NJ

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
UK expat Annie is having a rough time fitting in at her new Midwestern high school, until she discovers roller derby and reinvents herself as Anne R. Key (Falling). The second volume, Hell's, finds Annie's team taking on their archrivals in a special Halloween bout. Somewhat stilted writing and simplistic themes mar the otherwise entertaining blend of sports action and romance.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)